the rebirth of identity

introduction Brothers and sisters, we live in a world that is aggressively trying to shape us. Society doesn’t typically attack our faith head-on; it attacks our identity first. It whispers to us, "You are what you possess," "You are what you feel," or "You are what others say about you." Once our identity is tampered with, we become shackled, living a life that was chosen for us, not by us. But God’s word offers us a different path—a path to reclaim the power of our choice and build a life of godly wisdom and resilience.

Point 1: Identity/house (Built from the Outside In, no one gives birth to themselves.)

Our identity is often shaped from the outside in. Our surroundings, our experiences, our family name, our place of origin, and our relationships all pour into the mold of who we are. It’s almost as if our sense of self is formed before we even have a chance to choose it. This is why the Bible places such a heavy emphasis on wisdom and influence. Who is speaking into your life?

The author of Proverbs understood this dynamic well. He wasn't just giving good advice; he was giving a survival guide for the soul. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

The world wants you to lean on your own damaged understanding. It wants you to acknowledge its voice above all others. But this proverb teaches us that the ultimate shaper of our identity must be God. Because your identity is built from the outside in, you must be incredibly careful about who you allow inside your sphere of influence. If you let the world lay the foundation, you will be fragile. But if you let God lay the foundation through His Word, you will be resilient.

Jesus Himself illustrated this perfectly in Matthew 7:24-27. He spoke of two builders—one who built his house on the rock and one who built his house on the sand. The rain, the wind, and the floods came against both. The difference wasn't the storm; the difference was the foundation. If the foundation of a house is laid by an amateur, with the wrong materials, or in the wrong place, that house will not stand. Out of this foundation comes either resiliency or fragility.

Point 2: The Process of Deconstruction (The Wilderness Work)

Now, what happens if you look at your life and realize the foundation is cracked? Perhaps you feel like you can't accomplish much. Perhaps you find yourself constantly swept away when temptation comes, or you crumble when tests of life arrive. If that is you, it is time for a deconstruction—not of your faith, but of the false identity that has been built upon you.

You need a stripping away of the old so a new, godly identity can be formed.(this is what we call being born again) This is uncomfortable work. It is wilderness work. The entire mission of God leading the Israelites through the wilderness was for this very purpose. He needed to take a nation with the identity of slaves and transform them into a nation of priests.

In Exodus 19:5-6, God reveals His goal for them: 'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples... and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'

They went into the wilderness as slaves—a people defined by what they did for Egypt. They came out ready to be priests—a people defined by their relationship with God. That transformation is possible for you. Through the help of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, the old identity of defeat, addiction, and fragility can be stripped away. You can reclaim the power of your choice and choose a new identity in Christ.

Point 3: The Discipline of Maintenance (Never Letting Go)

You have allowed God to build the house. You have undergone the deconstruction in the wilderness. You have a new identity. Now, point number three is critical: Never let go of that identity.

The biggest threat to a well-built home is not always a storm; often, it is a lack of maintenance. After a house is built, the greatest asset to its longevity are the people who live in it. They are the ones who notice the leaky faucet, the cracked window, the loose board.

In your Christian life, this translates to your relationship with God and your relationship with other believers. The Holy Spirit is the primary resident living inside you. Through prayer and fasting, you maintain that communication with Him. He notices the "wear and tear" in your soul before it becomes a structural collapse.

But we also need the body of believers—the church. As you gather and partake in the Word of God together, they help you see your blind spots. They help you uphold the values and standards by which the house is maintained. The biggest regret for a Christian is not having anyone occupy the house. If the house sits empty, something else always moves in. Jesus warned of this in Matthew 12:43-45, describing how an empty house invites seven worse spirits to return. Rot, dust, apathy, and sin-addictions will occupy a vacant soul. A thriving relationship with God and a connected relationship with the church is what maintains the house and protects the identity He has given you.

Discussion Questions

Who or what has been the primary influence of your identity up to this point in your life?

What "wilderness" situation is God currently using to deconstruct an old, false identity in you?

What is the danger of following our own path over God’s path? as talked about in proverbs 3:5-6

how do you maintain your identity (which in this case is your house)?